Do Cars Need to Be Filled with Water?
3 Answers
Cars do not need to be filled with water, but they require antifreeze and windshield washer fluid. The reason is that tap water is prone to boiling and contains many substances that can easily cause rust and scale buildup. In contrast, antifreeze can lower temperatures, regulate heat, and is less likely to deteriorate or undergo chemical reactions. Precautions for adding antifreeze to a car: 1. Do not use ordinary water as a substitute for antifreeze; 2. Avoid mixing antifreeze of different colors and specifications; 3. When using antifreeze from different brands, try to drain the original antifreeze from the cooling system thoroughly; 4. Regardless of whether the temperature is high or low, antifreeze should be used for the efficiency and longevity of the cooling system.
I've been driving for over a decade, so I'm quite familiar with car maintenance. Many people think cars need water like electric bikes, but that's completely wrong. A car engine's cooling system requires special antifreeze, which is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol in roughly a 1:1 ratio. Plain tap water won't work—it can form scale deposits that clog pipes when the water temperature rises, and in winter, it might freeze and crack the radiator. Additionally, the windshield washer reservoir uses a special washer fluid with a formula that prevents freezing in the nozzles. If you notice the coolant level is low, it's best to visit a repair shop to top it up with the proper antifreeze. Adding water yourself could lead to serious engine damage requiring major repairs. Regularly checking the antifreeze's color and level during maintenance is crucial, and it should typically be replaced every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers.
Modern cars no longer require water tanks like old tractors did, but they do need attention to several fluids. The two places I check most frequently are the coolant reservoir in the engine bay and the windshield washer fluid tank under the front windshield. Coolant uses dedicated antifreeze, which ensures it won't freeze even in sub-zero temperatures and has a boiling point 30°C higher than water. Some people cut corners by adding tap water to the cooling system, only to end up with an overheated engine and cylinder scoring – a classic case of being penny-wise but pound-foolish. For windshield washer fluid, I recommend using antifreeze-type in winter and standard cleaning-type in summer. They're inexpensive but clean much better than tap water. When topping up, always do it when the engine is cold – opening caps on a hot engine risks scalding.
